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“I recommend keeping the braid on the loser side—nothing too tight—as this can help with shedding and also make it appear more voluminous,” notes celebrity stylist Cody Renegar. “Keeping hair in a braid can also help prevent breakage caused by applying heating tools often used when styling hair.” Deaundra Metzger, celebrity stylist, agrees, adding that hair braiding is an excellent way to preserve your hair. It prevents breakage and minimizes or eliminates the need for heat styling, both of which are important for thinning hair....

Kantrowitz recommends allocated investments in the 529 based on how old your child is. This means choosing a more aggressive investment mix—like 80 percent or more in stocks— when your kid is young, so if the market does crash, you have time to recover and the losses will be minimal. “As college approaches, you should shift into a mix of investments where there is low or no risk of loss, to lock in the savings,” says Kantrowitz....

“It’s important to teach your kids about credit early on, because establishing good credit takes time,” says Erin McCullen, head of consumer deposit products at Bank of America. “Building credit from a young age through responsible habits can help pave the way for major purchases and life moments, since credit impacts future living arrangements, the ability to purchase a car, and even employment opportunities.” Here are ways you can teach your kids about credit so you can set them up for financial wellness and security down the line....

What exactly is an Instant Pot, anyway? This wonder machine is a programmable, electric pressure-cooker, which means it combines heat and pressure to cook food in about half the time of traditional methods. Most models also have settings for sear, sauté, steam, slow-cook, and simmer. You can also use the Instant Pot to cook rice, make yogurt, and walk your dog. OK, that last one was just wishful thinking, but the Instant Pot really can cook almost anything....

Healthy 8 is a colorful mix of carrots, cabbage, celery, jicama, and broccoli—basically everything you need for the base of a nutritious meal without any washing and chopping. Throw it into your favorite chili recipe for an added dose of vegetables that even picky eaters won’t notice. For an easy and fast weeknight meal, grab some pre-cooked rice or quinoa, veggies pulled from the freezer, and baked or grilled protein of your choice....

Things to Do in the Snow Have an epic snowball fight.Build a snowman.Go sledding.Catch snowflakes on your tongue.Make a snow angel.Hit the slopes.Go snowshoeingWatch the snow falling Things to Eat and Drink in Winter Bake cookies and share them with friends. Drink hot buttered rum. Make a pot of mulled wine or spiced cider. Make a big batch of chili. Bake a pie. Make (and enjoy) eggnog. Make snow cream. Bake cinnamon rolls....

We tested 22 heated mattress pads in our Lab and evaluated them on effectiveness, comfort, durability, and value. For expert safety advice, we spoke to Brianne Deerwester, communications coordinator for the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). “When purchasing heated mattress pads, be sure to only purchase those which have been certified and tested by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL),” says Deerwester. “NRTLs test and certify electrical equipment and other products to ensure that they meet current safety standards and are safe with proper use....

“In the morning, a few simple breathing techniques and movements will clear away the aches and stiffness of the body while clearing the cobwebs out of your mind,” says Tory Schaefer, national director of yoga operations at Life Time in Minneapolis. You’ll also start the day more energized. Meanwhile, “at night, a yoga practice will help reset everything so your bed becomes a sacred space rather than a think tank of residue from the day....

It’s not merely the transition from playtime to the work and school week. Many of us stay up later on weekend nights and sleep in during the day, messing up our circadian rhythms and making us grumpy and irritable when the alarm goes off on Monday morning. The stress of starting the week may even affect our health. In fact, a 2004 study found that blood pressure tends to be highest on Monday mornings, while another concluded that Monday is the most common day of the week for heart attacks....

To buy: From $20 with coupon; amazon.com. These shoe organizers make the most out of the unused space under your bed and are only 6 inches tall, so they can squeeze into even the tightest areas. The shoe bag can store 16 pairs while the boot bag can store four for a total of 20 that are safely tucked away and out of sight. Made out of thick and tough reinforced nylon, these bags are built to keep shoes safe, plus they have clear, breathable tops so odors aren’t trapped and you can easily see what’s inside....

If the lemon flavor is overpowering, balance it with some fresh garlic or skip the lemon zest altogether (but keep the fresh lemon juice). Also, toss in some grilled chicken or shrimp to add more protein and make this a complete meal. Related Video

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I’m definitely swapping my breezy summer bedding for more cold-weather-friendly flannels and weaves (hello-o heathered cashmere!), and adding a neutral, elegant wool throw to the end of my bed. As a bonus, new customers also get 10 percent off its entire site; automatically applied at checkout. And Brooklinen’s not just top of line for bedding. It also has spa-worthy robes, silk pillowcases, weighted blankets, diffusers, and more. Each of these add to a comfy, warm atmosphere that makes it oh-so-difficult to leave my apartment....

In a new series called “Is It Worth It?” we’re testing out the extra steps recipes call for to see if they’re worth the additional effort. Think: peeling chickpea skins for creamier hummus, refrigerating cookie dough overnight for more flavorful results, and, in this case, tossing blueberries—or any fruit—in flour to keep them from sinking and/or bleeding. I began by making two batches of our blueberry streusel muffin recipe. In the first batch, I removed two tablespoons of flour from the total amount the recipe called for....

Chalk paint ideas extend far beyond the world of shabby chic décor and upcycled furniture. Chalk paint can fit into a farmhouse kitchen and a modern bedroom alike, when applied correctly, and the many chalk paint colors available just add to the possibilities. The textured, lived-in look of chalk paint—as opposed to the gloss or semi-gloss of standard paints—gives kitchen cabinets, walls, furniture, and more a little more character, making it easier to establish a real atmosphere or mood in a space....

Currently, the K-beauty brand’s serum has more than 1,600 overwhelmingly positive reviews on the Sephora website. Multiple shoppers shared reports of immediate change, including one that noticed a difference after only a few days. “My skin feels and looks like it never had any issues with dryness,” they wrote. “My skin looks healthier and brighter. I can definitely see myself purchasing this again.” To buy: $48; sephora.com The serum combines hyaluronic acid with the antioxidizing powers of plum extract, along with vegan collagen and silk proteins....

All beauty products expire. This is especially hard for people who have a tendency to hoard products to “save for later.” But alas, all beauty products have a shelf-life, and your shampoo and conditioner are not immune. Expiration Date Listing Take it from two cosmetic chemists who make them. “Most shampoos will last for 18 months after being opened and will be marked with a PAO (period after opening) on the label,” says Vince Spinnato, cosmetic chemist and founder of TurnKey Beauty Inc....

Take a Virtual Tour of the Real Simple Home Here! “We wanted to take the original kitchen and give it some life!” she says. “We are not afraid of playing with color, texture, and metals, so our goal was to marry the coastal theme with a traditional modern aesthetic.” The kitchen had a great foundation to start, but Gina’s aim was to improve the flow of the space and add much-needed storage....

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Butternut squash is incredibly versatile. It’s just as delicious when pureed and served with pork as it is roasted and served with salad greens. You can use it to bake bread or layer it into lasagna, and (news flash), butternut squash is probably what you’re actually eating when you cook anything with canned pumpkin. Butternut squash is also incredibly good for you, says Hillary Cecere, RDN, a registered dietitian for Eat Clean Bro....